The future for Marvel games certainly looks like a bright one. Insomniac Games is hard at work on itsMarvel’s Spider-Mansequel andMarvel’s Wolverine, with fans having high expectations for both PlayStation exclusives.Amy Hennig’s Marvel projecthas a lot of potential, as does the upcoming Marvel MMO from Dimensional Ink Games. WithMarvel’s Avengersstill getting content,Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxysuccessful enough to deserve a sequel, andMarvel’s Midnight Sunscovering a fresh genre, all kinds of gamers have some Marvel content to look forward to.
However, given how popular theMarvelbrand is at the moment, it would not be surprising if even more games were announced and released over the next several years. While there are strong cases to be made for games based on Doctor Strange and Black Panther, a project focused onCaptain Americacould work just as well. With potential for powerful storytelling, standout gameplay, and various settings, a lot can be done with a game that takes a close look at the man behind the shield.
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How A Standalone Captain America Game Could Work
While Captain America has a prominent role inMarvel’s Avengersand has featured in games that bring several heroes together likeMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3, his solo outings have been extremely limited. 2011’sCaptain America: Super Soldierwas the only modern, AAA release for the hero, and while it was better than some otherMCUtie-in games, much more can be done with the character.
From a story perspective, a Captain America game could follow a few different paths, but the most interesting one of all would see every era of the hero covered. The first act of a hypothetical, Cap-led game could cover his origin story, with players seeing him injected with the Super Soldier Serum and experiencing his battles duringWorld War 2. A second act could focus on modern day Cap, highlighting his encounters with Winter Soldier and adapting iconic storylines likeThe Death of Captain America. A third act could see Steve’s shield being passed on to Sam Wilson, allowing players to control a new version of the hero.
By spanning across a few different eras, the game would be set up to have some varied gameplay. Players could face off with Hydra across three different time periods, with the villains getting new leadership, outfits, and technology as the story progresses. This would allow the game to increase in difficulty naturally, with Hydra’s stronger technology making sense due to the passing time. From the bloody warzones of World War 2 to the cities of the present day, gamers would have diverse settings to battle through. Anupgrade tree for Capcould unlock new tricks for his shield, opening additional combo abilities. With such a storied history, there are plenty of opportunities for unlockable suits, too.
Another opportunity that a Captain America game could capitalize on is Steve Rogers’ various partners. In the first act set in the past, Steve’s sidekick Bucky Barnes could tag along. The second, modern day act could introduce Falcon as Steve’s partner, while the third act could feature aFalcon and Winter Soldier team-upjust like theMCU. While co-op could be possible, these characters could also be AI companions like in theUnchartedseries. Another possibility would let players take control of them in certain sections, similar to Miles Morales and MJ inMarvel’s Spider-Man. Being able to fly around as Falcon or wield Winter Soldier’s metal arm seems too good to pass up on, as do the potential team-up finishers between the various characters.
Lastly, if a Captain America game spanned across Cap’s entire career of heroism, there would be several opportunities to tell an impactful story. Strong writers could show the similarities and differences between 1940s and present-day America, highlighting areas where the country still needs to improve. With a character likeCaptain America, it is impossible not to get political, so leaning into relevant topics would be essential. Considering how much potential aCaptain Americagame has from a narrative standpoint, and how fun it would be to play, hopefully a project led by the character becomes a reality one day.
